Abstract
ABSTRACT
Protein quantitation is an important clinical parameter for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring such as drug response. In the past the assays were done mostly using antibody-based immunoassays such as radio-immunoassay (RIA) assays or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). As novel changes that locate beyond the epitopes regions recognized by the antibody render the immunoassays non useful, detection methods that can sense chemical structural changes becomes desirable. Mass spectrometry offers speed, versatility, and sensitivity for the assay without the needs of a priori knowledge of the target molecules. The instrument can measure thousands of proteins (proteomics) simultaneously without losing the sensitivity. Specific novel mass spectra denote specific novel modifications on the target molecules. The report reviews quantitative proteomics using mass spectrometry with emphasis on biomarkers for diagnostics; biological fluids proteomics, tagging functional groups of proteins and eventually non-tagging quantitative proteomics which can offer great potential for emerging biomedical advanced technologies for better management of diseases.